Some of the "charming art deco hotels" of South Beach have dumpy, dirty rooms. Don’t go by lobby decor alone. Read Debbie Checks In for the best of the hotel choices. If in doubt, ask to see a room. 
The Delano Hotel
The Albion    The Hotel Astor
The Raleigh    Ocean Front  
The Savoy    The Tides    The Hotel Impala
The National  The Hotel
THE DELANO HOTEL
1685 COLLINS AVE., SOUTH BEACH
(800)555-5001
"Oh, look at me, I am soooo cooool!". "Oh look at you. You are soooo hot!" " Look at us! We are all soooo beautiful." "I am sooo sexy in my tight white shorts. I am the cocktail waitress at the Delano pool!" "I am a white-shirted stud waiting for my next modeling gig and I will carry your bags!" Ahhh, welcome to the Delano where beauty in white reigns supreme. It’s the last word in style, flash and attitude. Alice in Wonderland and an insane asylum for the rich and pampered.

It’s a Who’s Who of the fashionable and the fabulous that put the Delano together: the Ian Schrager/Phillipe Starck hotel developer/designer duo, Suzanne Bartsch runs the David Barton Gym on site and throws great lobby parties, Kelly Klein is partner in the overpriced rooftop spa called Agua and Madonna owns the Blue Door restaurant. The pool setting has to be seen to be believed. The Rose Bar rocks, the beach bar is perfect for lunch and the dining terrace of The Blue Door restaurant is still one of the most romantic spots to start an affair. The one main draw back is the constant parade of gawking tourists that have now all heard about the Delano. It was better a few years ago when only the truly hip knew about it. Thanksgiving is hot at the Delano when the high powered gay entertainment set, the likes of David Geffen, take over for five days of fun and frolicking. Be prepared to pay for the right to rest your head here. The cheapest city view rooms start at $325 in high season (October to May). For a relative bargain, go off season when the rooms start at $180/night during the week.
THE HOTEL
801 COLLINS AVE., SOUTH BEACH
(877)THE HOTEL
Darlings, I just returned from a one week stay at this fabulous and brand new hotel and the formula works. Even with the flu! Todd Oldham, the clothing designer, has designed everything here from the carpets to the blue and green cloth headboards and the oh-so-retro tie-dye motif the runs throughout the hotel. The rooftop pool deck is relaxed and chic and offers a killer view of the blue green ocean (which ties in the blue and green tie dye curtains that can be pulled for privacy when you get your open air massage.) The bedrooms have lots of mirrors in all the right places and CD players to set the mood. When you are not in your room tap your toes to the hip music playing on the hotel wide sound system. The Hotel is getting a lot of press right now and has already been the centerpiece for many a fashion shoot. The on site restaurant, Wish, has a romantic patio with a fountain and lots of candles. You can’t beat the location as it is one small block to the News Café, the nerve center of South Beach. The room rates are a bargain on the lower end so book early to nab one: $185 and up.
THE NATIONAL
1677 COLLINS AVE., SOUTH BEACH
(800)327-8370
The National, a 154 room high-rise deco-style hotel, underwent a major renovation last April, and it needed it. Don’t be put off by the unimpressive exterior. It now offers what some entertainment industry executives call, "the best deal in South Beach." Consider the fact that the room rates start at $190 for city, $235 ocean front, $260 pool view off season, and go up to $ 210, $255 and $295 starting October 1. You get direct beach access, a big pool, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars. It does, however, attract a rather mainstream crowd. But if you want attitude just walk next door to the Delano.
HOTEL IMPALA
1228 COLLINS AVE., SOUTH BEACH
(305)673-2021 OR (800)646-7252
Rated by many as the top high-end, small hotel in South Beach. Hidden away behind it’s wonderful Spiga restaurant lies the picture of European elegance. While not on the beach, it more than makes up for it with the service, the fabulous linens and the sleigh beds. Call way in advance for reservations here as this hotel is almost always sold out, and it’s easy to see why.
THE TIDES
1220 OCEAN DRIVE, SOUTH BEACH
(800)OUTPOST
Chris Blackwell of Island Records and the ISLAND OUTPOST hotel chain has added this 45 (all ocean view) room masterpiece to his growing list of chic and hip hotels for the image conscious crowd. It’s like a toned down Delano. Lots of muted colors, 24 hour room service, a "tops optional" mezzanine level pool complete with bar and buffet, mega in-room entertainment systems, a prime location and even charging privileges at Blackwell’s Leslie Cafe and Marlin Bar (see A Cosmopolitan Please). This all does come at a steep price, however. Room rate range from $225 to a high of $2,000 for the Terra Nova Penthouse. To top it all off is a most intriguing voyeuristic touch: in the room telescopes. The lobby bar gets some action and the terrace cafe offers a prime view of the Ocean Drive madness.
THE SAVOY
455 OCEAN DRIVE, SOUTH BEACH
(305)532-0200
St. Tropez comes to South Beach. The Savoy was formerly the insanely expensive and exclusive hotel called La Voile Rouge. Very little has changed except for the prices which are now much more "affordable". ($295 to $1200). The Savoy is still somewhat of a secret, thank god. It is tucked away at the chic and quiet end of South Beach. This classy enclave sits right on the beach and boasts two pools, a small gym, the popular "Cozy" cigar and champagne bar and 38 suites decorated with a touch of refined, traditional, French country style. One of the few hotels in South Beach that offers some sense of tranquility, all the amenities, top service and a perfect location.

Many sexy and topless French babes congregate at beach club 55 on a daily basis which improves the local view tenfold. The Azurra restaurant and the beach club 55 (the wannabe sister club to the one of the same name on St. Tropez) round out the facilities here. La Voile Night takes place on Wednesdays with Wayne Conelli at the Piano Bar and Michael Costa acting as DJ. It’s a crazy Euro scene to be sure. One recent visiting Italian stallion reported on getting a hummer from a very accommodating French lady in the men’s room of the hotel.
OCEAN FRONT
1230-1238 OCEAN DRIVE
(305)672-2579
If you like to be in the middle of everything but want your sleep, than come to the Ocean Front Hotel. The rooms are soundproofed. A requirement if you are going to insist on staying right on the strip. The decor is upscale Mediterranean and comfortable. Not much in terms of amenities here except for the French bar and bistro on site. But it doesn’t matter since the ocean is across the Street and all the best shops and cafes are steps away. This place is popular with the European crowd, probably because a French group manages it and a distinctly European atmosphere prevails.
THE RALEIGH
1775 COLLLINS AVE., SOUTH BEACH
(800)223-5652
No other pool in South Beach can claim that Esther Williams swam there! The Raleigh has the best pool in South Beach. It’s worth staying in the slightly disappointing art deco rooms to be able to hang poolside. The Raleigh was the only game in town for a long time. The pool was infamous as the posing and mating ground of the models and South Beach elite. It has a much more relaxed atmosphere now, which is as refreshing as the pool itself. It’s next door to the Delano. Stay here, save a few bucks, then walk over to the Delano for a little Rose Bar action. The room rates range from $199 to $299.
HOTEL ASTOR
956 WASHINGTON AVE. SOUTH BEACH
1-800-270-4981
The Hotel Astor caters to the rich who like to be low key but well pampered! Room rates are a bargain: $110 to $400 in low season. $145 to $600 in the high season. Half of the 42 rooms are suites. All the rooms are nicely appointed with marble baths and cotton robes. The decor is a classy blend of muted colors. There’s quite a buzz at the Astor these days between the lap pool in the courtyard and the happening restaurant/bar scene on sight.
THE ALBION
1650 JAMES AVE., SOUTH BEACH
(888)665-0008
The Rubell family, the masterminds behind the famed Studio 54, are the creators of the chic 110 room Albion. It feels more like NYC than SB. Lots of sleek tones, the requisite in-room CD players, a sand lined pool area and the Fallabella Bar make it a happening choice. Room rates are still a deal at $155 off-season, $195 October to December and $245 in high season.


OTHER DEBBIE HOTEL FAVORITES IN SOUTH BEACH
PARK CENTRAL
640 OCEAN DRIVE
 BOOK IT NOW!
Stylish and a great location!
LESLIE HOTEL
1244 OCEAN DRIVE
 BOOK IT NOW!
Cheap and chic and right on ocean drive!
HOTEL LEON
841 COLLINS AVE.
 BOOK IT NOW!
Cheap and chic and in the middle of the action.
THE ALEXANDER HOTEL
5225 COLLINS AVE.
 BOOK IT NOW!
This is a full service, all suite, luxury property that is right on the beach. It is located about a ten minute drive from the center of the South Beach action which some people might consider a bonus if they want to chill out away from the crowds and the noise.
ALBION HOTEL
1650 JAMES STREET
 BOOK IT NOW!
New, hip and right on Lincoln Road.
CASA GRANDE HOTEL
834 OCEAN DRIVE
 BOOK IT NOW!
You can't beat the location if you like to be smack in the center of the scene. It's a high end, high style hotel.






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